ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Farmers of Barmer will get full claim of crop insurance scheme
Crop insurance claims amounting to Rs 540 crore will be paid soon
Decision taken in a high-level meeting chaired by the Union Agriculture Minister
The Central Government will make a policy in consultation with the states and insurance companies regarding claims of small amounts under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
In an important decision taken in a high-level review meeting chaired by the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, in New Delhi today regarding the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, it was decided to make full payment of the pending claims of Kharif 2021 to the farmers of Barmer. At the initiative of the Government of India, the Agriculture Insurance Company last week said it had settled partial claims amounting to Rs 311 crore. Following the review meeting held today, the insurance company will pay additional claim amount of Rs 229 crore to the farmers. Claim payment of a total of Rs 540 crore to the eligible farmers of Barmer will be expedited. Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Kailash Choudhary, senior officials of the Ministries of Finance and Agriculture, Chairman and Managing Director of Agriculture Insurance Company and Agriculture Commissioner of Rajasthan were present in the meeting.
Addressing the review meeting, the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar said that the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana has provided better financial security cover to crores of farmers in case of crop loss. By taking decisions in the interest of the farmers, the Government of India is trying to make it easier for the farmers so that they do not face any problem while taking crop insurance. Under the Crop Insurance Scheme, the Central Government will soon initiate prompt steps to give proper benefits to the farmers on the issue of small claims after discussing with the State Governments and insurance companies.
During the meeting there was comprehensive discussion on the ease of crop insurance scheme and the proposed solutions for small claims, in which it was also decided to make consolidated payment for all eligible applications while paying claims to farmers in future.
Ministry of Power
NTPC Declares its Energy Compact Goals towards Sustainability
NTPC Limited, India’s largest power generating company under Ministry of Power has become first energy company in energy domain in India to declare its Energy Compact goals as part of UN High-level Dialogue on Energy . NTPC has set a target to install 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032. India’s largest power producer is also aiming at 10% reduction in net energy intensity by 2032.
NTPC is among the few organisations globally to declare its Energy Compact goals.
Further, NTPC has declared that it will form at least 2 international alliances/groups to facilitate clean energy research and promote sustainability in energy value chain by 2025.
The targets were unveiled in the recently held ‘Ministerial Thematic Forums for the HDLE’ event. The commitment from NTPC has been made public on UN’s website as well.
United Nations is set to convene a high-level dialogue in September, 2021 to promote the implementation of the energy-related goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
NTPC has been taking various steps in increasing its green energy portfolio by adding significant capacities of Renewable Energy  Sources. The Company had earlier planned to have a minimum of 32 GW capacity through RE sources constituting nearly 25% of its overall power generation capacity by 2032. This development will prove to be huge boost for nation’s largest energy producer that will catapult its position in the green energy map of the country.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
More than 45.37 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 3.09 Crore balance and unutilized doses still available with States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
45,37,70,580
|
|
IN PIPELINE
|
|
59,39,010
|
|
CONSUMPTION
|
|
42,28,59,270
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
3,09,11,310
More than 45.37 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through all sources and a further 59,39,010 doses are in the pipeline.
Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 42,28,59,270 doses .
More than 3.09 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered.
Ministry of Defence
CAS visit to Israel
Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VM, ADC, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force, is embarking on a four day visit to the State of Israel from 21st to 24th May 18. The CAS would attend a conference themed ‘Air Superiority as a Bridge to Regional Stability’, as part of 70th anniversary celebrations of the Israel Air Force. The conference will enable strategic dialogue between Israel’s highest leadership, innovative thinkers and the invited Air Force Commanders.
Israel has been India’s strategic partner in defence. Both Air Forces have been undertaking mutually beneficial professional exchange programs over the years. The CAS is expected to meet and interact with Chiefs and Senior Commanders of Air Forces from over 20 countries attending the event.
In addition to the professional interaction during the conference, the CAS will also be visiting bases of the Israel Air Force, monuments of Israeli military aviation and cultural heritage.
The participation of the Indian Air Force Chief would provide further impetus towards increasing defence cooperation with Israel and pave the way for greater interaction and cooperation in future.
Prime Minister's Office
Deepak Punia lost the Bronze narrowly but he has won our hearts: PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has said that Deepak Punia lost the Bronze narrowly but he has won our hearts. The Prime Minister also said that he is a powerhouse of grit and talent.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Deepak Punia lost the Bronze narrowly but he has won our hearts. He is a powerhouse of grit and talent. My best wishes to Deepak for his future endeavours. #Tokyo2020"
Ministry of Education
Candidates of JEE  – 2021 Session – 3 from seven cities of Maharashtra to be given another opportunity - Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
Decision taken in the light of heavy rains and landslides in Kolhapur, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Raigadh, Sindhudurg, Sangli, and Satara
Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today informed via Twitter that in the light of heavy rains and landslides in Maharashtra, to assist the Maharashtra student community, the NTA has been advised to grant another opportunity to all candidates who have Examination Centres in the cities of Kolhapur, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Raigadh, Sindhudurg, Sangli, and Satara, and who are not able to reach the Examination Centre for JEE  – 2021 Session – 3.
He further informed that the students with Examination Centres in these cities, who may not be in a position to reach their Examination Centres on 25 and 27 July 2021 for JEE  – 2021 Session – 3, need not panic. They will be given another opportunity, and the dates for the same will be announced soon by the NTA.
The Candidates are further advised to keep visiting the official websites of NTA  and  for the latest updates.
For more clarification related to JEE  - 2021 the candidates can also contact 011-40759000 or email at jeemain@nta.ac.in
Ministry of Finance
Change in Tariff Value of Crude Palm Oil, RBD Palm Oil, Others – Palm Oil, Crude Palmolein, RBD Palmolein, Others – Palmolein, Crude Soyabean Oil, Brass Scrap , Poppy Seeds, Areca Nuts, Gold and Silver Notified
In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section  of section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 , the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient so to do, hereby makes the following amendments in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance , No. 36/2001-Customs , dated the 3rd August, 2001, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section-3, Sub-section , vide number S. O. 748 , dated the 3rd August, 2001, namely:-
In the said notification, for TABLE-1, TABLE-2, and TABLE-3 the following Tables shall be substituted, namely: -
TABLE-1
|
|
Sl. No.
|
|
Chapter/ heading/ sub-heading/tariff item
|
|
Description of goods
|
|
Tariff value

|
|

|
|

|
|

|
|

|
|
1
|
|
1511 10 00
|
|
Crude Palm Oil
|
|
575
|
|
2
|
|
1511 90 10
|
|
RBD Palm Oil
|
|
607
|
|
3
|
|
1511 90 90
|
|
Others – Palm Oil
|
|
591
|
|
4
|
|
1511 10 00
|
|
Crude Palmolein
|
|
608
|
|
5
|
|
1511 90 20
|
|
RBD Palmolein
|
|
611
|
|
6
|
|
1511 90 90
|
|
Others – Palmolein
|
|
610
|
|
7
|
|
1507 10 00
|
|
Crude Soya bean Oil
|
|
758
|
|
8
|
|
7404 00 22
|
|
Brass Scrap 
|
|
3596
|
|
9
|
|
1207 91 00
|
|
Poppy seeds
|
|
2576
TABLE-2
|
|
Sl. No.
|
|
Chapter/ heading/ sub-heading/tariff item
|
|
Description of goods
|
|
Tariff value

|
|

|
|

|
|

|
|

|
|
1
|
|
71 or 98
|
|
Gold, in any form, in respect of which the benefit of entries at serial number 356 and 358 of the Notification No. 50/2017-Customs dated 30.06.2017 is availed
|
|
422 per 10 grams
|
|
2
|
|
71 or 98
|
|
Silver, in any form, in respect of which the benefit of entries at serial number 357 and 359 of the Notification No. 50/2017-Customs dated 30.06.2017 is availed
|
|
503 per kilogram
TABLE-3
|
|
Sl. No.
|
|
Chapter/ heading/ sub-heading/tariff item
|
|
Description of goods
|
|
Tariff value

|
|

|
|

|
|

|
|

|
|
1
|
|
080280
|
|
Areca nuts
|
|
3925”
Ministry of Finance
Grant-in-aid amounting to Rs. 13,385.70 crore released to Rural Local Bodies
Total grant amounting to Rs. 25,129.98 crore released to Rural Local bodies so far in 2021-22
The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has on Monday released an amount of Rs. 13,385.70 crore to 25 States for providing grants to the Rural Local Bodies. This Grant-in-aid is the 1st installment of Tied grants of the year 2021-22. The grants have been released as per the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission.
Tied grants are released to the Rural Local Bodies  for improving two critical services namely  Sanitation and maintenance of open-defecation free  status and  supply of drinking water, rain water harvesting and water recycling.
Out of the total Grant-in-aid allocated for Panchayati Raj institutions, 60 percent is ‘Tied Grant’. It’s earmarked for national priorities like drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting and sanitation. Remaining 40 percent is ‘Untied Grant’ and is to be utilized at the discretion of the Panchayati Raj institutions for location specific felt needs, except for payment of salaries.
Tied grants are meant to ensure availability of additional funds to the Rural local bodies over and above the funds allocated by the Centre and the State for sanitation and drinking water under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
The States are required to transfer the grants to the Rural local bodies within 10 working days of their receipt from the Union Government. Any delay beyond 10 working days requires the State Governments to release the grants with interest.
State-wise amount of Rural Local Bodies  grants released today and total RLB grants released so far is given below:
|
|
S. No.
|
|
Name of the State
|
|
Amount of RLB Grants released on 31-08-2021

|
|
Total RLB Grants released so far in 2021-22.

|
|
1
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
581.7
|
|
969.50
|
|
2
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
51
|
|
142.75
|
|
3
|
|
Assam
|
|
355.8
|
|
593.00
|
|
4
|
|
Bihar
|
|
1112.7
|
|
1854.50
|
|
5
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
322.5
|
|
537.50
|
|
6
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
708.6
|
|
1181.00
|
|
7
|
|
Haryana
|
|
280.5
|
|
467.50
|
|
8
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
95.1
|
|
158.50
|
|
9
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
374.7
|
|
624.50
|
|
10
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
713.1
|
|
1188.50
|
|
11
|
|
Kerala
|
|
360.9
|
|
601.50
|
|
12
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
883.2
|
|
1472.00
|
|
13
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
1292.1
|
|
2153.50
|
|
14
|
|
Manipur
|
|
39.3
|
|
65.50
|
|
15
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
20.7
|
|
34.50
|
|
16
|
|
Orissa
|
|
500.7
|
|
834.50
|
|
17
|
|
Punjab
|
|
307.8
|
|
860.00
|
|
18
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
856.2
|
|
2392.50
|
|
19
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
9.3
|
|
15.50
|
|
20
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
799.8
|
|
2783.23
|
|
21
|
|
Telangana
|
|
409.5
|
|
682.50
|
|
22
|
|
Tripura
|
|
42.3
|
|
70.50
|
|
23
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
2162.4
|
|
3604.00
|
|
24
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
127.5
|
|
212.50
|
|
25
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
978.3
|
|
1630.50
|
|
x
|
|
Total
|
|
13,385.70
|
|
25,129.98
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur greets media fraternity on National Press Day
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Shri Anurag Singh Thakur has today greeted the media fraternity in India on National Press Day. In a message to the fraternity the Minister has said “The government has focused on citizen centric communication - in a language they understand and through platforms they access - be it TV News, Radio, Social Media or Online Digital Media.”
He has further added “The National Press Day is a day to reflect upon the role of media and press in raising the issues that matter to the citizens of India. The Media is a watchdog and as such has a key role to play in a vibrant democracy Iike India.”
Giving a call for a collective fight against fake news Shri Thakur said “on this day I call upon my media friends to make all efforts to curb the menace of fake news and fake narratives. The Government of India on its part has taken measures like establishment of Fact Check Unit at PIB, which has gained in popularity.”
The Minister concluded his remark by inviting the media to build a new aspirational India and said “as we mark the 75th year of India’s independence and look towards the next 25 years - let us work together as partners in realising the dreams of every Indian.”
Ministry of Coal
Clarification on Claims of Giving Preferential Treatment to one State for Allocation of Coal Blocks & Singareni Collieries Company Ltd
It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Coal about allegations of giving preferential treatment to one State Government in allocation of coal blocks which is false and not based on facts.
There is no special rule or scope of giving special treatment to any one State. Therefore, the question of preferring one State as claimed is baseless and misleading.
Facts are given below:
Two lignite blocks was allotted to GMDC  in 2015 with following details:
Bharkandam lignite block allotted on 10.08.2015
Panandhro Extn. Lignite block allotted on 10.08.2015
Similarly, three coal blocks were allotted to SCCL, a Government of Telengana PSU:
Naini coal block in Odisha allotted on 13.08.2015
Pengadappa coal block in Telangana allotted on 15.12.2016
New Patrapara coal block in Odisha allotted on 30.10.2019.
One coal mine Tadicherla-I in Telangana was also allotted to Telengana State Power Generation Limited on 31.08.2015
Important to bring to attention that out of above three coal mines allocated to SCCL a Government of Telengana PSU, Pengaddppa and New Patrapara coal blocks have been surrendered by the SCCL under amnesty scheme of Central Govt., wherein penalties for surrender of coal mines by PSUs has been waived off by the Centre. The Naini block allotted to SCCL, a Government of Telengana PSU in 2015 is still not operationalized by the Government of Telengana even though GoI has facilitated in obtaining all the clearances.
Auction of coal blocks are being carried out through Mines and Minerals  Act, 1957 & Coal Mines  Act, 2015 that Union of India has undertaken regulation of mines and mineral development. Both these Acts provide for a transparent mechanism of mine allocation.
The most transparent mode of auction is being followed since the launch of commercial mining on 18th, June 2020, under which all coal
/lignite blocks have been given through auction route for sale of coal/ lignite. No coal/lignite blocks have been given through allotment route after launch of commercial mining to any State or Central PSU.
Special Service and Features
Minister of Labour and Employment, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav lays foundation stone 100 bedded ESIC hospital in Sriperumbudur
Minister of Labour and Employment, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, laid the foundation stone of 100 bedded ESIC hospital in Sriperumbudur today.
Bhupender Yadav said that the hospital will be built at an estimated cost of 155 Crore and will have the facilities of General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics &Gynecology, including Paediatrics, Emergency, Critical Care / Intensive Care , Anesthesia, Ophthalmology, Dermatology & Venereology , , Pulmonology and Dentistry.
The minister said that in Tamilnadu, ESIC is catering to the medical needs of 38.26 lakhs Insured Persons and around 1.48 Crore beneficiaries.
"We also have One Medical College of ESIC at KK Nagar, Chennai having all the modern facilities. 125 MBBS students per year get the admission in this college. Out of which, 25 seats are reserved for wards of Insured Workers who belong to lower wage bracket of society," he added.
The minister further said,"Today, in Tamil Nadu, out of 38 districts,ESI Scheme has been implemented fully in 20 districts and partially in 16 districts."
"I am happy to share that today ESIC is providing medical benefits to 3.41 crore workers covered under the Act and their dependants i.e13.24 crore beneficiaries in total. From 393 districts in 2015, the services of ESIC have been expanded to 596 districts out of 744 districts across India," Bhupender Yadav said.
He further said,"Today, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, works with the spirit of “ShramevaJayate”, whether it is the four labour codes, or towards ensuring social security for workers, or giving an identity to 28 crore unorganized workers through the E-shram card in just 8 months ot its launch. I am told, in Tamil Nadu alone around 75 lakh workers in the unorganized sector now have an E-shram card."
The minister added that in the last 8 years of Modi government with a ‘Whole of Government approach’, the poor, the beneficiaries have received their rightful due, they have witnessed benefits of welfare schemes getting credited in their accounts, without any commission, without any intermediaries.
Bhupender Yadav also said,"Only, yesterday, the government announced a significant reduction in Central excise duty in petrol and diesel prices, which will reduce the price of petrol by ₹ 9.5 per litre and of Diesel by ₹ 7 per litre, thereby providing major relief to our citizens."
President's Secretariat
President of India in Himachal Pradesh; Addresses first convocation OFDR Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College in Kangra
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, graced and addressed the first convocation of the Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said there is a need for large number of good doctors and medical colleges for delivery of effective health services. Recently, the Indian Medical Council  Ordinance 2018 has been promulgated to promote good medical institutes and to tackle the challenges of medical education. This will encourage the establishment, expansion and modernization of medical colleges and institutions.
Click here to see President’s speech
Ministry of Railways
National Rail Plan  for India – 2030
Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan  for India – 2030. The Plan is to create a ‘future ready’ Railway system by 2030. The NRP is aimed to formulate strategies based on both operational capacities and commercial policy initiatives to increase modal share of the Railways in freight to 45%. The objective of the Plan is to create capacity ahead of demand, which in turn would also cater to future growth in demand right up to 2050 and also increase the modal share of Railways to 45% in freight traffic and to continue to sustain it. To achieve this objective all possible financial models including Public Private Partnership  are being considered.
As Indian Railways is the growth engine of the nation, NRP is aimed to reform Railways to make it more efficient, greener and modern which will translate into cheaper, safer and assured mode of transport to the common man be it in passenger or freight segment. To achieve this objective, following main features of the National Rail Plan have been identified:-
-
- Formulate strategies based on both operational capacities and commercial policy initiatives to increase modal share of the Railways in freight to 45%.
- Reduce transit time of freight substantially by increasing average speed of freight trains to 50Kmph.
- As part of the National Rail Plan, Vision 2024 has been launched for accelerated implementation of certain critical projects by 2024 such as 100% electrification, multi-tracking of congested routes, upgradation of speed to 160 kmph on Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai routes, upgradation of speed to 130kmph on all other Golden Quadrilateral-Golden Diagonal  routes and elimination of all Level Crossings on all GQ/GD route.
- Identify new Dedicated Freight Corridors.
- Identify new High Speed Rail Corridors.
- Assess rolling stock requirement for passenger traffic as well as wagon requirement for freight.
- Assess Locomotive requirement to meet twin objectives of 100% electrification  and increasing freight modal share.
- Assess the total investment in capital that would be required along with a periodical break up.
- Sustained involvement of the Private Sector in areas like operations and ownership of rolling stock, development of freight and passenger terminals, development/operations of track infrastructure etc.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tributes to Sardar Patel on his Punya Tithi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Sardar Patel on his Punya Tithi.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "सशक्त, सुदृढ़ और समृद्ध भारत की नींव रखने वाले लौह पुरुष सरदार वल्लभभाई पटेल को उनकी पुण्यतिथि पर शत-शत नमन। उनके दिखाए मार्ग हमें देश की एकता, अखंडता और संप्रभुता की रक्षा करने के लिए सदा प्रेरित करते रहेंगे।"